In the New King James Translation, the title to Psalms 91 is “Safety in God’s Presence.” Psalm 91, Verses 1-2 showed us the confidence we have under God’s shadow. Verses 3-8 lets us know that those who trust in the Lord should have no fear. Verses 9-13 reveal God’s protection for those who make Him their refuge. The psalmist continues encouraging himself in the Lord’s protection.
- Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
- Psalm 91:3-4 NKJV Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
- Psalm 91:5-6 NKJV You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
- Psalm 91:7-8 NKJV A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
In the shelter of God’s presence, we find safety and protection.
In the previous section he looked at hidden and spiritual dangers that assail and attempt to destroy us. He gave this testimony that under the shadow of the Lord God Almighty they were kept safe. Since the Lord was the One who kept them, they were safe from the snare of the fowler, the perilous pestilence, the destruction that comes at noon day, the terror that comes at night, and the arrows that fly by day.
Now he digs in deeper into this fact of God’s protection for those who make Him their refuge.
Psalm 91:9 NKJV Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
As Moses was thinking about how God had protected and kept His people, he began speaking to any who listen about God being a place of refuge. Moses had testified that there was no place of safety better than the Lord God Almighty. He did not want to stray from the shadow of the Almighty. He knew that under His wings there is a refuge and fortress. You need to know that the Most High God is not just a dwelling place, He is a refuge and fortress.
Psalm 91:10 NKJV No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
When you make the Most High your dwelling place, His presence is a place of shelter and safety from harm and danger. Regardless of the things that come against you, when you make the Lord your dwelling place, you find safety and protection. From the Old Testament times until now, this psalm has been given to people when they were being oppressed or under the attack of the devil. When the adversary of your soul is on the attack and you are overwhelmed, you need to run to the rock that is higher than you are and find this place of safety.
Psalm 61: 3 “For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”
El’ Shaddai — God Almighty is greater than any demon, evil, or plague. The Psalmist spoke about this hiding place frequently. God has provided a place where we can dwell in safety. In His presence there is safety.
When the Lord is your shelter, Satan does not have a door of access into your life.
God has given us multiple sources of security in His presence. First, there is none greater than the Lord our God. Second, Jesus Christ has conquered every evil and has the keys of hell and death. Third, the blood of Jesus that has power to save, cleanse and deliver has overcoming power for everyone who put their faith and trust in Him. Fourth, the Lord of Hosts has thousands upon thousands of angels that encamp around and about those who put their trust in Him. Not only are we under His shadow and ark of His safety, the host of His angels have been given charge over you to guard and protect.
Psalm 91:11–12 NKJV For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
The host of the Lord’s mighty angels are ready and able to discharge the powers of the enemy. You may never see them working, but you need to know that His holy angels have been given charge over you.
In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria was making war with Israel.
Elisha and his servant continued to warn the king of Israel of the plots and schemes of the Syrians. When the king of Syria heard about Elisha and his servant, he sent a great army of horses and chariots by night and surrounded the city. When Elisha’s servant arose in the early morning, he saw the city was surrounded with horses and chariots. Fear and despair got hold of him and he said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
Have you questioned “What shall we do?”
You felt that you were surrounded and outnumbered by the things that were coming against you. You are not standing guard against the enemy all alone.
Elisha knew something that his servant did not know.
2 Kings 6:16-17 NKJV So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
By faith, you need to hear and see what God is telling you in His word.
If you are dwelling in the presence of the Almighty, you are in a place of safety.
Psalm 55:18 NKJV He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.
Earlier in chapter 55, David spoke about all of the violence and strife that was in the city. He said iniquity and trouble were in the midst of it and destruction, oppression and deceit do not depart. When surrounded with all kinds of spiritual and physical enemies, he said: “The Lord has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.” If every kind of evil is attempting to steal, kill and destroy, you need to remember Romans 8:31.
Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Don’t be over impressed with the attack of the enemy!
When you have made the Lord God Almighty your dwelling place, you are in a place of safety. There are more for you than against you. The Lord has thousands upon thousands of armies of angels that have horses and chariots of fire all around you. His angels are commissioned to take charge of you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Take into account the Lord’s care over your life, body, and soul.
If God would open your eyes, you would see that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. His angels have been discharged to help you overcome difficulties and dangers.
Do you remember when Simon Peter was shut up in prison, bound with two chains between two soldiers?
Herod had placed guards before the door who were keeping the prison. It would appear that no one would be able to rescue Peter from imminent death. Peter had taken off his outer cloak and sandals and was lying down sleeping.
Acts 12:7 NKJV Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
The angel of the Lord had been given charge over Simon Peter. After his chains fell off, he was led out of the prison past the first and second guard posts and was delivered. I don’t know how, what or when God is going to do it for you, but you should know that He has plans to bring you into victory.
Psalm 91:13 NKJV You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
In the Bible, the lion and serpent are symbols for evil people and Satan’s powers. The lion and the serpent may seem formidable and you may feel that your strength is inadequate. God has a plan to increase your strength and bring deliverance. The imagery here presents the change that is happening in you when you make the Lord God Almighty your dwelling place. He has become for you a place of safety and protection.
Luke 10:19 NKJV Jesus said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
You have an upper hand against the power of the enemy.
The Lord our God is with us.
Zechariah 10:12 NKJV “So I will strengthen them in the Lord, And they shall walk up and down in His name,” Says the Lord.
There is a change coming for you. The Lord is giving you His strength. God Almighty is leading you out in victory and power. That is why Jesus Christ led captivity captive. That is why He came out of the grave with the keys of death and hell. He has the authority to defeat every foe that you are up against. So here is what you need to do. You need to strengthen your trust and reliance on the Lord Who is your Protection. You need to get as close to the Lord as you can. Take up residence and dwell in the presence of the Almighty.
Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
The word “finally” means “from now on.” From now on be strong and empowered through your connection with the Lord God Almighty. Constantly be strengthened by the Lord and the power of His might.
There is safety for you in God’s presence!
In Psalms 124, David reminded Israel that they would have been utterly swallowed alive and overwhelmed if the Lord was not on their side.
What shall we say to all of these things?
God is on my side and I shall not be moved! God is my dwelling place and protection, and I shall not be destroyed. The schemes of the adversary of your soul are not going to prosper when you make the Lord your refuge and dwelling place. Salvation, victory and healing is coming. Deliverance, peace and joy is yours. You are going to overcome all of the devices of the enemy. You are going to come up and out of this.
